December 7, 2023

Something For the Moment 

• Ministerial Search Webinar for 2024: Thursday, December 14, 2023, 1-2pm ET/ 12-1pm CT/ 11am-12pm MT/ 10-11am PT/ 8-9am HT. Come learn from Transitions Staff about the upcoming search process (settled, developmental, contract, interim) for this year. You don’t have to be in search to attend as we’ll also talk about trends and learnings. 

• Request for Proposals – HR Resources for Chaplains: The UUMA is requesting proposals from members who are excited to create a package of materials chaplains could access through the UUMA site for use with supervisors and Human Resource departments.  We imagine the developer of these materials would draw on their own experience, draw on the experience of other professional chaplains with relevant knowledge and experience to share, and conduct research in the public sphere to inform this effort.  Please access this RFP for HR Resources for Chaplains to get all the details including information about how to submit your proposal. 

Something for the Journey 
Rev. Michelle Favreault, MFN Program Manager

For our Aspirant and Candidate colleagues,’tis the season of final exams, CPE, field work and internship evaluations, not to mention visits with the Ministerial Fellowship Committee. For Parish colleagues, there’s a little thing known as the holiday season, with Christmas Eve on Sunday (of all the days!), and the ongoing rigors of leadership and loving on congregations filled with tender hearted souls. Our colleagues in Community, Chaplaincy, and Institutional settings have all the layers of love and vocation in places dealing with budget shortfalls, trauma, and the daily struggles to uphold the dignity of all in troubled times.  And as far as I know, retired colleagues seem to be the busiest of all with responsibilities in and beyond ministry settings. I need not enumerate the roles and responsibilities with families, communities, and our care for UUism in a time of war, grief, oppressive and systemic social structures, pandemic, so much heartbreak and isolation, and on and on…

Dear colleagues, ’tis the season of so much. May you know deep in your heart that the community of UUMA members is able to hold your settled, emerging, affirmed, and tired ministries in care. May there be rest and renewal, learning, sparkling candles, and blessings in this month of winter’s arrival. Please honor your needs and reach out to your mentors and friends, Good Offices volunteers, and the UUMA staff with your news and needs. Take a pause to collect care, offer prayer, and find connection to fill your cup. Update your UUMA membership details if geographic moves or ministry settings are changing at the end of the year, and be sure to check in on your chapter activities for support and connection before the fresh page of your 2024 calendar is covered in ink! We need one another…we need you.  Thanks for offering up your flame of strength and compassion through your ministry.  Let there be tending and time to savor the season. 

With gratitude,
Michelle Favreault

Something Extra: Collegial Conversations

• January – The Ministry of Spiritual Direction 
  Wednesday, January 17, 1-2 pm ET/ 12-1pm CT/ 11am-12pm MT/ 10-11am PT/ 8-9am HT. Rev. Tandi Rogers shifted from institutional ministry to the ministry of Spiritual Direction when she saw the real impact she was making through her clients. She now sees Spiritual Direction as a tool to cultivate spiritual maturity, spiritual imagination and spiritual courage in individuals, communities, and organizations. She considers it an ancient technology of the future. Let’s explore how it can amplify your ministry. 

• February – How to Read Our Contract and Why it Matters
  Thursday, February 8, 2-3pm ET/ 1-2pm CT/ 12-1pm MT/ 11am-12:pm PT/ 9-10am HT Offered by members of the Good Offices Contract/Call Negotiation Support Team, this one hour session will be especially helpful for people who will be in search this year, but all colleagues who would like to build their skills in reading their contract are warmly invited.